Carlson Gracie Central Florida
About Carlson Gracie Central Florida
At Carlson Gracie Central Florida, we are passionate about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and dedicated to helping students of all experience levels discover the transformative power of this martial art. Located in Florida, Florida affiliated with Gracie, our academy welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced grapplers.
Our experienced instructors bring years of dedicated training and a genuine love for the art to every class. We emphasize strong fundamentals, technical precision, and a supportive training culture where every student is encouraged to grow at their own pace.
We offer Adult programs designed to serve our diverse student body. Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, competition, or simply the challenge of learning a complex martial art, Carlson Gracie Central Florida has a class for you.
Come experience the Carlson Gracie Central Florida community for yourself. Your first class is on us — we look forward to welcoming you to the mat.
Reviews
Solid BJJ Gym! Amazing group of individuals who truly are a Family. Aside from Professor Rinaldo Santos being a world class BJJ Practicioner/Ref and Legend in the sport, he is a world class human who cares deeply about his students. This is reflected in his students from White all the way to Black. This is less of a BJJ Gym and more of a family if you stick around. I defiantly leveled up my Jiu Jitsu and felt at home while I trained here. If you are looking for a Jiu Jitus gym that is tied directly to the roots of the sport, Trains hard, and will take your game to the next level, this is it. I miss rolling with this team every day.
If you want a community for your child, where they are supported to learn who they are you have found the place! This community will show them the true strength inside. This gym has helped mold my child into a strong self assured young man. Professor has a genuine love of the sport and of humans that no of amount of money can buy. My son is a better human because of the skills he gained at Carlson Gracie Central Florida.
I have stopped in to train here several times when I have been in town, and I love it. Professor Rinaldo is the real deal and fun to learn from, and the class atmosphere is great. I was made to feel welcome immediately, and the training and rolling is always fantastic. If I lived in this area I would definitely want to train full time at Carlson Gracie Central Florida, but for now I'll just be dropping in for some great training with good people when I am in the area. Can't recommend any higher!
Top tier Jiu Jitsu acumen, amazing brother/sisterhood environment, and competition ready team! The black and brown belts are aware and attentive to teaching and training.
A hidden gem. Excellent BJJ school for all ages and ability levels—great instruction, family-friendly, and tight knit community. Professor Rinaldo is a 30+ year veteran of the sport and brings a contagious enthusiasm to every training session, whether it’s elementary school kids, 20 year olds preparing for competition or out of shape suburban dads. Highly recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
IS THERE A FREE TRIAL CLASS?
Absolutely. We invite all prospective students to try their first class free at Carlson Gracie Central Florida. It's the best way to experience our training environment, meet our coaches, and see if BJJ is right for you. No experience or equipment needed — comfortable athletic clothing is fine.
DO I NEED ANY EXPERIENCE TO START?
No experience necessary! Carlson Gracie Central Florida welcomes complete beginners. Our instructors break down every technique step by step, and our community is known for being welcoming and patient with new students. Everyone starts as a white belt, and that's exactly where you should start too.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FIRST CLASS?
For your first visit, comfortable athletic clothing works perfectly — a t-shirt and shorts or athletic pants. Once you commit to training regularly, you'll want to invest in a gi (kimono). Our coaches can recommend quality options at a range of price points.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TRAIN?
Most students at Carlson Gracie Central Florida train 2 to 3 times per week and see consistent progress. Showing up regularly matters far more than training intensely once in a while. We offer multiple class times throughout the week so you can find a schedule that fits your life.
DO YOU OFFER CLASSES FOR KIDS?
Yes! We offer dedicated programs for children and teens at Carlson Gracie Central Florida. Our youth classes focus on discipline, respect, confidence-building, and the fundamentals of BJJ in a safe, fun environment.
Programs
Weekly Schedule
| Time | Class | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00am | Fundamentals BJJ | All Levels |
| 12:00pm | Noon BJJ | All Levels |
| 5:30pm | Kids BJJ | Youth |
| 6:30pm | Fundamentals BJJ | All Levels |
| 7:30pm | Advanced BJJ | Blue Belt+ |
| 6:00am | No-Gi Grappling | All Levels |
| 6:30pm | No-Gi Submission | Intermediate |
| 7:30pm | Competition Training | Advanced |
| 9:00am | All Levels BJJ | All Levels |
| 11:00am | Open Mat | All Levels |
Check the gym's website for current schedule and any changes. Visit website
Instructors
No instructors listed for this gym.
Student Stories
Real people, real transformations — from this gym's community.
No student stories yet for this gym.